EFL – The Stats Ten Games In (30/9/16)

The Football League, or as it wants to be known now, the EFL, have compiled the statistics with the vast majority of clubs now ten games into the new 2016/17 season.

With ten games down, it does mean 36 left to go and some clubs will be content with their starts so far, with others left feeling underwhelmed or concerned.

Whatever the individual thoughts of fans so far – and with a nod to Newport County and Barnet who have only played nine games following the abandonment of their match back in September – at this stage of the season a total of 948 goals have been scored across the Football League.

Championship – 309.League One – 318.League Two – 321.

With a good number of goals scored it does mean we have early risers to the top of the goalscoring charts, and here’s who they are as we go into October and who they play for – along with the EFL blurb.

Championship:

Tammy Abraham (Bristol City) – seven goals:

‘The youngster has been a sensation for Bristol City since completing his loan move from Chelsea. He has seven league goals in his first 10 games for the Robins, as well as three in the EFL Cup. Playing 765 minutes so far for City, he is averaging 109 minutes per goal.’

Scott Hogan (Brentford) – seven goals:

‘After sitting out the majority of the past two seasons due to injury, Hogan is making up for lost time. He got his first against Nottingham Forest on Matchday 3 and has since hit six more, including a hat-trick at home to Preston. The striker has played 900 minutes, scoring on average every 129 minutes.’

Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) – seven goals:

‘694 minutes played, seven goals scored – that is, on average, a goal every 99 minutes for the Newcastle front man, which is the best minutes to goal ratio in the division. The former Crystal Palace forward ended a four-game goalless spell by hitting a hat-trick against Norwich City on Matchday 10, with his third goal being a dramatic winner which saw the Toon Army come from 3-1 down to win 4-3.’

Will Grigg (Wigan Athletic), Glenn Murray (Brighton & Hove Albion), Chris Wood (Leeds United) and Danny Ward (Rotherham United) have all notched up five goals so far this campaign in the league.

‘Murray, on loan from Bournemouth, is averaging a goal every 144 minutes, while the on-fire Grigg has 25 goals in 32 league appearances in the calendar year. Leeds’ Wood has seven goals in total, but only five in the EFL. However, four of those have produced victories, highlighting the significance of his contribution to United’s season to date.’

Championship top scorers as a club:

Barnsley – 20 goals:

‘The Tykes are the Sky Bet Championship’s top-scoring team after 10 games, finding the back of the net 20 times. Their results include two 4-0 victories and their leading marksman is midfielder Conor Hourihane (3), who was August’s Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month.’

League One:

Josh Morris (Scunthorpe United) – 10 goals:

‘This lad can’t stop scoring. The 24-year-old had only scored 11 goals in his whole career before 2016/17 but he has 11 this term already, with one of those coming in the EFL Cup. He won August’s Sky Bet League One Player of the Month and will be in the running for September’s prize after hitting his first career hat-trick against Walsall on Matchday 10. He has played 894 minutes – 89 minutes per goal – and has also notched four assists.’

Alex Jones (Port Vale) – six goals:

‘Eight appearances, seven shots on target, six goals – it’s been a productive start to 2016/17 for Birmingham City loanee Alex Jones. The striker is averaging a goal every 89 minutes and celebrated his 22nd birthday in style this week by scoring against Millwall.’

Matty Taylor (Bristol Rovers) – six goals:

‘If there’s one man who knows where the net is, it’s Bristol Rovers’ Matty Taylor. 27 league goals last term fired the Gas to promotion and he has scored six in Sky Bet League One after 10 matches, including a double against Rochdale.’

James Vaughan (Bury) – five goals:

‘Five league appearances, five goals. James Vaughan has hit the ground running with Bury and netted twice in their 3-1 midweek victory at Milton Keynes Dons. The 28-year-old is averaging a goal every 78 minutes – the best in the EFL.’

League One top scorers as a club:

Scunthorpe United – 24 goals:

‘The Iron are head and shoulders above anyone else in the goalscoring stakes, led by the EFL`s form player, Josh Morris. They have scored four times in a game on two occasions this season, and hit five past Gillingham without reply.’

League Two:

Omar Bogle (Grimsby Town) – nine goals:

‘Omar Bogle has adapted well to life in the EFL. The striker, who came up with promoted Grimsby, has found his rhythm and his haul includes a hat-trick against Stevenage, as well as the Mariners’ Matchday 10 winner at home to Newport County. He’s played 755 minutes, scoring one goal every 84 minutes on average, and has also chipped in with two assists.’

Jon Stead (Notts County) – nine goals:

‘He may be 33 but Stead is flourishing in the Notts front line this term. Four goals in August – scored in successive matches – has been bettered by five in September, including braces against both Cheltenham Town and Exeter City. With 719 minutes under his belt, Stead is averaging a goal every 80 minutes – impressive.’

John Akinde (Barnet) – seven goals:

‘Like the aforementioned Bogle, Akinde made the step up to the EFL with ease when Barnet were promoted the season before last. He hit over 30 goals in the Bees’ promotion campaign, and bagged 23 in the league last season. This time around he’s on seven after 10 outings having scored twice at Morecambe in midweek.’

Gary Roberts (Portsmouth) – six goals:

‘So often the architect, Roberts has enjoyed finding the net himself so far this term in the blue of Pompey. Six goals and three assists so far, he won Goal of the Weekend in Sky Bet League Two last week for a beauty.’

Nathan Thomas (Hartlepool United) – five goals:

‘A special mention must go to Hartlepool United’s Nathan Thomas, who scored all five of their goals during September!’

League Two top scorers as a club:

Doncaster Rovers – 20 goals:

‘Third-placed Doncaster take the team top-scoring honours in Sky Bet League Two after 10 matches, having scored 20 times. Luton (19) follow them closely but, in the league standings, they all trail Plymouth by five points, even though the Pilgrims have scored only 13 goals. Rovers’ scoring chart is led by James Coppinger, John Marquis and Andy Williams, who have all bagged five times.’